Malcolm's Story

Ethnicity

White British

Age

60-69

Work

Retired

Sexual Orientation

Straight

Geography

South East

Relationship status

Married/In a Civil Partnership

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Lutetium 177 PSMA

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Dry mouth, temporary loss of sense of taste

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

Effective treatment (for me) for widespread disease and with minimal side effects

Chemotherapy

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

Stay positive, the side effects are mainly temporary

Tips and advice for any mental and emotional side effects of treatment

Stay positive, the side effects go away

How this treatment impacted my life the most

I had an (apparently quite common with docetaxel) anaphylactic type response to an early dose which was anticipated and dealt with quickly and professionally by the nursing staff.

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

Because the treatment was effective and side effects were not unacceptable

High Dose Rate Brachytherapy

Tips and advice for any bladder or bowel side effects of treatment

I understand that brachytherapy requires careful and accurate positioning of the radioactive probes to achieve the best effect and minimise side effects. The surgeon’s expertise is critical in this.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Dry orgasms

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

Because the prostate was the original source of my cancer and destroying it made sense

Hormone Therapy (tablets)

How this treatment impacted my life the most

I’ve been fortunate that this treatment has worked very well for me since 2020 and my PSA remains undetectable and I have noted no significant side effects

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

For the above reasons- for me it’s been effective with no notable side effects

Hormone Therapy (injections and relugolix tablets)

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

I’ve been having degarelix injection every 28 days. It nearly always causes large itchy red lump around the injection site which lasts a couple of days. However, I find that staying still for 30 minutes or more after the injection reduces this

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Itch impacts sleep and also slight fatigue for the following 24 hours

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

Taken together with the darolutamide, the combined treatment keeps my disease under control and side effects are acceptable

Malcolm's Story

Lutetium 177 PSMA

How this treatment impacted my life the most

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Why did I give this answer?

Chemotherapy

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

Tips and advice for any mental and emotional side effects of treatment

How this treatment impacted my life the most

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Why did I give this answer?

High Dose Rate Brachytherapy

Tips and advice for any bladder or bowel side effects of treatment

How this treatment impacted my life the most

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Why did I give this answer?

Hormone Therapy (tablets)

How this treatment impacted my life the most

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Why did I give this answer?

Hormone Therapy (injections and relugolix tablets)

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

How this treatment impacted my life the most

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Why did I give this answer?

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